Wood River times. [volume] (Hailey, Idaho) 1882-1915, 1887-10-05
DEUNiIEAD JUSTICE.
GEN. BRACES DISCIPLINE ff!o
HIS METHODS.

HIS METHODS.
A Reminiscenco Suggested by the Story
of DIR. Charles Garcia, of st. Louis.
How Coon Harris, a Brave Tennesseean,
Met Death.
Especial Correspondence
NEW YORK, Sept. 22.--Going the rounds
of the press short time ago was an inter-
esting story originally printed In The st.
Louis Post-Dispatch, which describes the
manner in which sick young soldier was
ordered to assist in loading the cars that
were hurriedly conveying the Confederate
army supplies from Corinth prior to the
evacuation of that town on the Goth of
May, 1862. Physically unable to obey, he
told the sergeant in charge of the squad
the reason why, adding that il he was not
too Ill he would be with his own regiment.
The matter was reported to Gen. Bragg,
and in person he too ordered the young
man to go to work. The latter again re-
fused, was ordered to be shot, took the
matter with the GOODNESS of desperation,
which SO moved Gen. Bragg that he re-
scinded his order. The private made off
as fast as his legs would carry him, and
could not afterward be found though Gen.
bThSS Wuulcu w lllu Dllll hlltt DEOllIOtE
him,
The young soldier of 1869, as has al
ready been published, is now DR.. Charles
Garcia, of st. Louis, and q well known
physician.
This incident recalls another of which
the writer was an eye witness 1t also
occurred at Corinth but u few days prior
to the evacuation of that place. There
were several executions at about that
time and place. Some of the victims paid
the penalty of death for desertion, and
under the circumstances it may have been
proper enough in most cases. because prep
arations were being made for an early re-
treat, and the utmost secrecy was neces-
| sary; but in some instances the killing by
| court martial was ordered for causes that
were not justified by either officers or men.
Our quarters were not far from town
on one of the roads leading to Farming
! ton, where an attack had been made u few
days before by portion Of the command
| Of Gen. Pope, and we had reason to ex-
pect another at any moment. On the
night of May q this expectation was
somewhat intensified by the capture of
guide, who was plotting Federal detach
ment toward one of the Confede.at out
posts, and who, on being confronted by
Gen. Bragg frankly confessed that u por
ton of the Federal army was in motion
and battle might be fought within TWEEN
ty-four hours. Moreover, he boldly &C.
knowledged his business and gloried in the
fact that he was Union man.
"What are you doing in citizens
clOthes?" sternly inquired Gen. Bragg
'What your men found me DOING
said the guide calmly.
where Is your order or commission
from Federal officer to act as guide?"
81 have none" was the almost naughty
reply; II knew the road and volun-
tered
Other questions and answers followed
after which Bragg, calling one of his Off
GERS, gave him an order, and the prisoner
was led away by q file of men. Every
member of the staff knew at that moment
that another human life was going out.
Within an hour court martial was con-
vened and the unfortunate man was sen
fenced to be shot at daylight. For the
remainder of the story refer to my notes
written at the time.
HEADQUARTERS GEN. Polk, J
May %, 1869.
Before sun.up this morning another OF
those scenes occurred that are so terrible,
even when eyes are accustomed to the
hloodShed of battle--a military execution.
A more bravely met death than that
| iiltih SuuSIttl lGNSl "llHtSSGu. Az uc
rode by my quarters not the NEST critical
observer could have discovered from his
expression any difference between him and
a curious bystander, save that his was a
face nonchalant, determined and almost
contemptuous Arriving at the place of
execution, which was in a narrow, shaded
valley about quarter of a mile distant,
he jumped lightly from the wagon, lin
gered moment to see his coffin removed,
and then sauntered carelessly down to the
tree beneath which he was to meet his
fate. There being no ceremony about the
proceedings, no chaplain, no prayer moth
ing to indicate that fellow being wo,,
about to be ushered into eternity. two or
three Of us stepped to his side, and, with
the lieutenant, engaged in n brief CONVEX
sation. He said that he was q native
Tennesscean named Coon Harris, about
40 years of age, and resident of Paris or
PaQucah, | am not certain which. He
also conceded that he had made a mistake
In not wearing uniform, for it would
undoubtedly have saved him from being
shit as Il spy, but no was not afraid to
die, and tell my family and friends, " he
added, 'if any OF you boys get a chance,
that did die like a brave man." There
was not n cooler nor more unconcCrIed
person in the crowd than that prisoner.
His eye, bold and uLwavering, looked
now around the little throng, and
again vGcantly in the distance, as
If thought Of home or future might &C.
cupy his mind, but neither check blanched
nor muscle quivered Tie man seemed
made of stone. she interview fin
ished, the faded brown coat lie wore
was buttoned across his CT est, and he sat
down upon his coffin. His last request
was for a chew of tobacco. a handker-